Alderfer's Theory of Motivation

What is
Alderfer's Theory of Motivation

Alderfer’s theory of motivation, sometimes also Three-factor theory or abbreviated ERG (Existence, Relatedness and Growth) is the theories of human motivation. It's a extension of Maslow's pyramid of needs arranged by the specific needs of the abstract need into three basic levels.

Alderfer’s theory of motivation, sometimes also Three-factor theory or abbreviated ERG (Existence, Relatedness and Growth) is a theory dealing with the motivation of people. Theory of Motivation was published by Clayton Paul Alderfer as a further extension of Maslow’s pyramid of needs. He arranges the pyramid of human needs from specific needs to abstract needs into three basic stages:

Existence - salary, job security

Relatedness - friendships, relationships, common goals, recognition in the social network

Growth - self-fulfillment at work and professional growth

What is the Theory of Motivation for in practice?

Similar to Maslow’s pyramid of needs, the Alderfer’s theory uses employees in the organization,in the preparation or understanding of the motivational factors. By satisfaction of subsistence needs, the importance of relational needs increases and with their satisfaction, the importance of growth needs increases. On the other hand by dissatisfaction of growth needs, the importance of relational or existential needs increases. Alderfer says that there may therefore arise the situation of dissatisfaction with the amount of the salary that may have its reasons for dissatisfaction in relational or growth needs and it is necessary to search the real reasons of dissatisfaction.